Mr Adams added: “Fidel was a global leader, part of the revolution that liberated Cuba. He lived long enough to see the vindication of the sacrifices of his people when President Obama commenced the process of normalising relations between the USA and Cuba.

“I have good memories of meeting with Fidel. He was very conversant with Irish history and good friend to the Irish people and an admirer of our struggle, especially the hunger strikers of 1981.”